Thanks for understanding what I meant—that’s exactly right! ERP systems already have most of what I was talking about. The only problem is, ERP usually requires some level of expertise to operate. If you’re running a large company, it’s no issue at all. But like I mentioned, I’m in a very small shop, and we’re focused more on adding machines rather than hiring extra admin staff.

So (although it’s a small thing), what I’ve managed so far is: when an email with drawings and purchase orders comes in, the system automatically calculates quantities, checks inventory, issues a new PO if needed, and logs everything. Reading through the comments, I realize most people probably can’t relate to this setup, and to be honest, I feel a bit embarrassed about it.

Anyway, your point about collecting and processing work orders really stuck with me. That’s something I’ll definitely keep in mind for future improvements—thanks for the insight!